Sarah-Quita Offringa and Lennart Neubauer are declared winners of the Freestyle in Sotavento. The Slalom X starts on Wednesday.
The beach of Sotavento in Fuerteventura has witnessed the crowning of the new Freestyle champions of the Windsurfing World Championship. The Aruban Sarah-Quita Offringa and the Greek Lennart Neubauer received their trophies on Tuesday at the event's marquee, in a ceremony that capped four days of intense competition.
Offringa, who now has 29 world titles in her career, triumphed in the women's category after a spectacular comeback. The Dutchwoman Maaike Huvermann had won the single elimination, but the Aruban forced the double elimination and defeated her twice, including a Superfinal, to claim the championship. Huvermann finished second and the German Lisa Kloster completed the podium.
Neubauer, unstoppable at home
In the men's category, Lennart Neubauer (GRE) left no options. The Greek defended his first place in the single elimination and won in the double elimination against the Belgian Yentel Caers, who finished second. The Swiss Balz Müller celebrated his first podium in the World Tour by finishing third, after surpassing Jacopo Testa (ITA), Takumi Moriya (JPN), and Sam Esteve (FRA).
The ceremony, held at the Sotavento marquee at 12:30 PM, was attended by representatives from the PWA and René Egli by Meliá, the event organisers. From the Cabildo of Fuerteventura, the Sports Councillor, Luis González, was present, while the Pájara Town Hall was represented by Mayor Alejandro Jorge, Tourism Councillor Tina Da Silva, and Sports Councillor José Benito Alonso. The Datana academy entertained the event with a dance performance, and the champions' anthems were played.
The Slalom X takes over
This Wednesday, July 22, the Slalom X begins, the speed discipline that will take place until Sunday, July 26, and will decide the men's and women's world titles. Offringa, having already achieved her goal in Freestyle, will not participate in this second part of the programme. Speed specialists will take over in Sotavento for five days of competition.
For Canary Island fans, the event represents a unique opportunity to see the best windsurfers in the world in action in a privileged setting. The beach of Sotavento, in the municipality of Pájara, is consolidating itself as a global reference for wave and wind sports.
The Slalom X promises thrilling moments, with fast heats and daring overtakes. The favourites, including the Belgian Yentel Caers and the Swiss Balz Müller, will be looking to secure the title in conditions that, according to forecasts, will be ideal for speed.
You may also like
